You can find triathlons, marathons, and 10K and 5K runs pretty much every weekend of the year all year long. But on Saturday June 21, at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, there is a very unique event called the Muddy Buddy Ride and Run that is totally geared towards the first-timer and the family. Two runners, one mountain bike, six miles of trails, five obstacles and one very sloppy mud pit. Sound like fun? It is! The best part is that each partner only runs three miles and rides three miles, one mile at a time. Last year Muddy Buddy sold out early, so enter today! If you decide to give Muddy Buddy a try, here are some helpful tips:

1. You'll remember what your bike looks like; but your Muddy Buddy, who has never been on this thing before, probably won't. Remember, there might be at least 100 bikes at each obstacle when you get there. Tell your buddy that you are always going to leave the bike on the right or the left side of the bike corral or on its saddle. It's also cool to put something on your bike to help you ID it - a piece of yarn around the seat tube, some tassels, a fun seat cover, colorful spokes...anything like that works really well.

2. Look at the map and figure out who should ride first and who should run first. If the first mile is uphill and you are the better runner, you may want to let your Muddy Buddy ride first.

3. Try to use a bike and a seat height that works for both you and your buddy. If you are 6'2" and your Muddy Buddy is 5'6", put the seat at a height that sort of works for both of you. Remember, you're only going to be on the bike for a total of three miles, one mile at a time. The other option is to remember to change the seat height with a quick release before each time you mount up.

4. You'll want to have either cages or flat pedals on the bike. Clip-in pedals won't do you much good when wearing running shoes.

5. It's not a bad idea to actually try out the bike a time or two before Muddy Buddy Day. Brushing off the cobwebs, squirting a little oil on the chain and putting a little air in the tires is certainly not a bad idea.

6. You both need to wear your own helmet throughout the entire event. You'll find that you won't even notice it after a while. You might like the look so much that you'll find yourself wearing your helmet to work and to your local sushi restaurant. It is definitely a good look and a conversation starter.

7. When you go by your buddy on the bike, always make sure he or she knows you went by. People don't necessarily think that well while they are running. There's a chance they might zone out, do the obstacle and figure you haven't ridden by them yet. So they stand there waiting, not knowing that you are actually in front of them and the bike is sitting there doing absolutely nothing. The best thing to do? Yell "Great job, buddy, I'm going to leave the bike on the right side of the corral" as you go by.

8. Always wear really fun costumes. The best ones win great stuff.

9. Make sure that you and your buddy really should be in The Beast Division (400 pounds together) if you're signing up in that category. Know that if you place in the top five Beasts, you will be weighed on stage and folks who don't measure up get booed off stage. Lots of pressure! Last year, one of the Beast teams that wasn't quite sure of their combined weight was seen eating two blueberry pies right before the start. Not a bad idea!

10. The Muddy Buddy is not on the Olympic Program. There is no prize money. There will be a guy there wearing a frog outfit. The idea is to have fun with your buddy and to leave the competitive juices at home.

11. It is okay to try different swim strokes in the mud pit. Goggles are cool and arm floaties are definitely encouraged. The elementary backstroke or sidestroke both look pretty sweet in the slop.

12. Don't miss the Paul Mitchell Mini Muddy Buddy for kids under twelve. It starts after most of the adult teams have finished. If you have kids, they will definitely dig getting muddy. But even if you don't, it's pretty darn entertaining to watch.

www.muddybuddy.com